The Ali Scholars Program, offered to full-time undergraduate University of Louisville students, is a unique two-year experience combining training, research and service in the areas of violence prevention, social justice and peacemaking in an urban living context. A special emphasis is placed on understanding and addressing the social conditions that impact those issues.

Through their work with the Muhammad Ali Institute, Ali Scholars develop expertise on a topic of their choice by participating in seminars with renowned practitioners, educators and activists. The Ali Scholars employ a practical solution-based approach as they produce scholarly research related to their “expert area” and its impact locally and globally. Equipped with a solid knowledge base and organizing skills, the Ali Scholars provide service hosting on-campus events, furthering the work of the Ali Institute and working alongside campus, local, national and international practitioners in their expert areas. Through the Ali Scholars program, students acquire both the intellectual and practical training to take action and leadership on issues of peace, violence prevention and social justice at home and abroad.

Ali Scholars can expect to:

Spend an average of three to five hours per week devoted to Ali Scholars activities, including office hours

Attend seminars and training sessions designed to provide a broad-based understanding of violence prevention and social justice issues

Learn skills in the areas of peacemaking, violence prevention, leadership, community organizing, project development and non-profit management

Select an “expert area” on which to focus. Each student will - through research, exposure to practitioners in that area and hands-on service – develop expertise in an issue of their choice related to peace and social justice.

Conduct research on a topic related to his/her expert area

Provide service to campus, local, national or international organizations and efforts related to peace and social justice

Design and implement a local, national or international project related to his/her expert area. Projects will incorporate the knowledge and skills gained in the program and will be done in cooperation with appropriate organizations, agencies and practitioners.

Travel nationally and/or internationally

Be recognized and celebrated for their efforts

How to Become a Muhammad Ali Scholar

The Ali Scholars Program is a two year commitment; therefore, it is only offered to full-time undergraduate students (except Ali Street Scholars) who will be able to devote four semesters to the program. Student participants will receive a $1000 scholarship each year, for a total program scholarship of $2,000. Ali Scholars will be required to maintain a GPA of 2.7 to be admitted to and continue in the program.

The Muhammad Ali Scholars Program recruiting process takes place January through March every other year. The process includes an application with written essays, two letters of recommendation, and an individual interview. Contact the Ali Institute for the next recruiting season.

The International Ali Scholars Program

The International Ali Scholars Program is a two-year special learning program for talented undergraduate students offered by the Muhammad Ali Institute for Peace and Justice at the University of Louisville in collaboration with selected colleges and universities around the world. The program offers student/scholars the opportunity to gain awareness and insight about social justice, violence prevention, and peace building and learn the skills that allow them to work for social justice locally and globally.

Participants are exposed to the most cogent theories, strategies, and practices and are able to work alongside esteemed educators, researchers and practitioners on their campus, in their local community and at participating campuses around the world. Through this experience, scholars become better trained and empowered to take individual leadership on issues of peace, violence and social justice.

Ali Scholars acquire a broad understanding of violence prevention, peace building and social justice and are guided and supported in using this understanding to develop their expertise as leaders, activists and agents for social change. Ali Scholars develop particular expertise in an area of the work that best connects to their skills, interests and abilities and conduct a project in this “expert area” that is relevant to the work of violence prevention and peace building locally and globally.

Ali Scholars have opportunities to travel, participate in national and international conferences, as well as intern with social justice and violence prevention organizations in their local community. Scholars are connected to their counterparts at participating campuses around the world via video conferences, internet-based distance learning experiences, and an Annual Academy gathering that brings together the scholars and faculty and staff at participating universities.

The Annual Academy is held on the campus of a participating college or university and provides an important opportunity for the exchange of scholarly work, seminars on critical issues and pertinent research, skill-building/training workshops, social gatherings and cultural exchanges.

All scholarship recipients receive an annual cash stipend or tuition off-set during their two years of participation in the program. Most expenses related to the program are covered by the program. The Ali Scholars program is open to undergraduate students at participating colleges and universities who are of sophomore or junior rank, who have a record of relevant involvement in social justice work and community service and who have a demonstrated record of academic success and achievement.

How to Become A Participating College or University

Colleges and universities wishing to develop an International Ali Scholars Program on their campus, in affiliation with the Muhammad Ali Institute at the University of Louisville, arrange for a site visit by Muhammad Ali Institute staff team, and sign the Affiliation Memorandum of Understanding.